I have been drilling from my home for over 25 years. Yes, I have a Tax Id and consider myself a business with acounts with 2 distributors. I stock many accessories, full line of VISE inserts and thumb slugs and a few balls. I also have well over $15,000 of equipment (System 2 ovalmatic with end mills, Haus, rejuvinator, spinner, scale, etc.) I have attended all the drilling seminars offered in my area including one IBPSIA course. No, I am not IBPSIA certified, but if I paid the money I feel I could be. One last item, I do NOT solicit business in any bowling center. I understand that the guy in the pro shop pays the rent and he is has the only right to sell equipment in that center. I honor and respect that right. This is why I am good friends with many of the shop owners in my state. Now here is my point.
I know there are some hackers out there drilling in their home with no idea of what they are doing and some that just want to drill their own equipment, but there are also guys like me that have a large customer base that know what we are doing. Because you are IBPSIA certified, does not mean you are a good driller. There is one in my state that is certified and is considered by many to be a hack and to be fair there is also another one that is very good. Why do you have to have a store front to be recogized as a legitimate driller? Now the manufacturers are telling everyone to go to a certified IBPSIA shop or to a brick and mortor shop to have you equipment drilled. The way bowling centers are closing, many of the shops will have to setup in their homes if they want to continue their trade. I will say that I am not alone. In my state I know of 4 others that drill from their homes and they are very good at what they do.
How many of you drill from you home, have a tax id and consider yourself a business ? Maybe we should get together and form our own organization. In numbers there is power.
Edited on 10/17/2008 9:35 AM